The Slave - S01 E04

2 years ago

The Slave - S01 E04

Read Story: SEASON 1 EPISODE 4

No one who has ever been taken by the white men ever returned alive to thier village. Once anyone is taken that was the end for that person.

The rivers of the land have been polluted with dead bodies. Sometimes the villagers recognised the dead and sometimes they don’t. The river was the only route out of the village. The white men always came in ships which were faster than the boats they had in the village.

Ukeh knew it was useless trying to paddle after the ships that might have taken Nti and so when he got to the river bank and discovered that there was no site of any ship, he fell on the floor disappointed and cried like a baby.

There was cries from different parts of the village as others discovered that thier families and friends had also been taken.

Ukeh sat in one spot until it was dark. The boys who ran after him saw him sitted alone and they left him because they understood that he needed his quiet time.

Ukeh listened to the sounds of the grasses and trees and the birds flying in the sky. He wondered if things would have been different if he were to be around to protect his mother and sister. He wondered where Nti might be and what she would be doing at the moment. He knew she would be very scared all alone by herself and this saddened him even more.

“Ukeh”, He turned as he heard his name and saw Nma standing behind him.

“I was told I would find you here, I am so sorry for what happened.”

Ukeh ran to her and cried in her arms like a baby. He was a very brave boy but this has really touched him.

“They took her, they took Nti, he managed to say. They took her.

“Ssshhhhhhhh, it’s alright my love, it’s alright.

“I have to find her, I must find Nti ” he stammered. ” She is my responsibility and I must protect her.

“But you can’t, she is gone. And even if you find her, what can you do? The white boys have sticks that can kill any living thing. How do you plan on saving Nti when those sticks are out there? Nma asked with a worried look on her face.

“I do not know, but if I can get my hand on one of those sticks…….

“And then what? Nma interrupted, you don’t even know how those sticks work. Please don’t risk your life over this please. Stand up let’s go home.

“Let me ask you a question Nma, Ukeh said. “If you were the one who was taken, would you pray and wish for me to come and get you?

Nma became silent.

“I know wherever Nti is right now, she would want me to come for her. And I would. I will save her.

He stands up and began walking up. Nma runs after him and together they walked slowly to his home.

Some of the elders were still at the house when they arrived. They needed Ukeh to give permission for the burial of his mother. He gave the go ahead and the old lady was buried quietly behind her hut. Ukeh kneels behind the grave as he cried silently.

“Don’t worry mama, I promise you I will do everything I can to bring Nti home. I promise.

And he went inside the hut and brings out his carving knife and begins to sharpen it. This knife belonged to his father and Ukeh has always considered it his good luck charm. He carried the small knife anywhere he goes hiding it carefully inside his undies.

For three days and nights Ukeh continued sharpening his knife. Nma had talked to him severally to let go this his quest of finding Nti but he seems not to hear anything from anyone. He hadn’t eaten nor spoken to anyone since Nti was taken.

Nma tried to persuade him again but he wasn’t listening and so she quietly went inside again as it has been for three days. She wished all of this never happened. She wished Ukeh was still the ever happy Ukeh she used to know.